An Asbestos Defense Attorney Can Help Protect the Financial Security of Those Harmed by Exposure to This Harmful Mineral
An asbestos defense attorney can help protect the financial security of those who have been affected by exposure to this harmful mineral. Compensation can cover medical costs funeral and burial costs as well as pain and suffering and the loss of quality of life.
Our lawyers are involved in mass toxic tort litigation on a regional, national and local scale. We are well-versed in the unique issues and the complex scientific aspects that are associated with asbestos cases.
New York Asbestos Lawsuits
Asbestos is a dangerous fiber that can trigger various serious medical conditions, including mesothelioma. A New York asbestos lawyer is skilled in handling asbestos lawsuits that seek financial compensation for the victims and their families for exposure to this harmful substance. These cases can be complicated and it is crucial to have a mesothelioma expert law firm on your side.
New York has a long history of asbestos litigation, and many residents have been exposed to this dangerous material. In recent times, there have been more lawsuits against former asbestos producers than ever before. These cases result from the recognition of a link between asbestos and diseases such as mesothelioma, lung cancer, and asbestosis. The companies were aware of the dangers associated with the
asbestos legal-containing mineral, yet they failed to inform their employees and customers.
New York City is especially susceptible to illnesses caused by asbestos because of its older structures and construction sites. The Brooklyn Navy Yard was a notoriously toxic location that continues to have an impact on the surrounding community.
Many workers were exposed to asbestos in their work environments. However, people also get diagnosed with mesothelioma as a result of exposure to harmful substances. This includes spouses of asbestos-exposed workers who were wearing their husband's work clothes and came into contact with asbestos dust regularly.
The mesothelioma lawsuit can be costly for defendants, especially when they are incorrectly named as a defendant. According to a study, more than 3,600 claims have been filed in New York courts since 2014 and the number is expected to rise further. This type of litigation is typically supported by
asbestos law firms that advertise on daytime television and encourage victims to file claims, with the promise of large settlements.
The defendants may be able mitigate some of the expenses arising from these cases by argument that their policy terms have expired or they're only accountable for a small percentage of the amount of the claim. New York law does not have a specific rule for how to divide the liability if the alleged exposure is part within and part outside of the insurance policies.
Asbestos-Related Illnesses
A myriad of asbestos-related illnesses can develop because of exposure to the mineral that causes cancer. The mesothelioma disease is the most severe. Mesothelioma is the cause of death of many people. Other
Asbestos Lawsuit-related diseases include lung cancer, asbestosis, pleural plaques and pleural effusion.
Mesothelioma is a rare but fatal disease caused by exposure to asbestos fibers that collect in the lungs and irritate the lining of the ribcage, chest cavity and abdominal cavity (the the pleura). The inhalation of these small fibers can cause scarring to the lungs, a condition known as asbestosis and, sometimes, the formation of thickened patches on the pleura, known as pleural plaques or a more widespread fibrosis of the pleura called diffused pleural fibrosis. Pleural plaques or diffuse fibrosis could reduce lung capacity, as measured by breathing test. They can also cause breathing problems and pain but they don't lead to cancer or mesothelioma.
Symptoms of asbestos-related disease often don't manifest until decades after initial exposure. It could take up to 50 years for asbestos fibers inhaled to cause lung damage. Workers who handled, cleaned, and removed asbestos from the workplace as well as children, spouses and other people who are exposed to asbestos are at risk of developing mesothelioma.
In addition to mesothelioma, other asbestos-related illnesses include laryngeal cancer, lung cancer, peritoneal mesothelioma, and mesothelioma ovarian. The most fatal mesothelioma type is ovarian cancer, however it is less common than the general mesothelioma. It is diagnosed later than other types of mesothelioma, because it is found in the linings of reproductive organs. The symptoms can be similar to other illnesses.
Many companies used asbestos in the 20th century, however they knew that it was dangerous. If they didn't remove it from their products, thousands of people were exposed. The affected people are now able to seek financial compensation. Many asbestos-related manufacturers are bankrupt. In the aftermath, victims are able to seek the compensation they deserve from the trust funds established by the bankruptcy courts.
Asbestos Litigation in New York
For decades, asbestos-related companies have put profits ahead of the safety of their employees and consumers by producing dangerous products without warning of the dangers. These companies are now facing the consequences of their carelessness. People who have suffered from
asbestos claim-related illnesses such as mesothelioma and lung cancer are seeking fair and complete compensation.
The attorneys at Belluck & Fox are dedicated to helping families and individuals obtain the justice they deserve. Our lawyers have more than 25 years of experience and have assisted our clients to receive millions of dollars in compensation. Our New York mesothelioma lawyers work to hold large corporations responsible accountable and to obtain maximum compensation for our clients.
Many states have created asbestos courts that are specifically designed so that claims can be filed more efficiently. Judges have also developed specific procedures to assess and resolve these cases.
New York is one such state that has its own asbestos court, known as NYCAL. The caseload in this specialty court has grown steadily, as asbestos victims are becoming more and more likely to seek compensation from solvent former asbestos defendants who have become bankrupt. The New York Supreme Court created a special judicial board to oversee NYCAL in order to keep the justice system from becoming overwhelmed.
A panel comprised of six Supreme Court judges will review each case in NYCAL to decide whether or not to accept it. Judges will also evaluate the merits of each case to decide how much money a plaintiff should be awarded.
At present, the panel is looking into more than 3500 lawsuits. The panel is expected to make a final decision by the end of this year.
New York asbestos lawsuits are often complex and involve allegations of several defendants. Belluck & Fox's lawyers have extensive experience in the litigation of these difficult issues. They are knowledgeable of the rules regulations, rules, and policies of the asbestos courts in New York, as well as the laws of other jurisdictions where they have handled multidistrict litigation.
The firm also has vast experience as National Coordinating Counsel in asbestos litigation, representing clients nationwide in multi-district, complex litigation. In this capacity lawyers formulate strategies, manage local and regional counsel, and ensure that they are able to provide consistent and efficient defenses for clients. They have worked closely with trial judges, coordination judges, and litigation special masters from various jurisdictions.